John Stockwell is a good example, I think. Not quite an obvious one, but he had some major Hollywood roles as a young man in films like Christine, Eddie & The Cruisers, My Science Project, and most importantly his significant role as Cougar in Top Gun. But then his acting career never went anywhere.

His story has a happy ending, though. He's now a fairly successful director and occasional writer, having made films like Breast Men, Turistas, and Middle of Nowhere.

Candace Hilligoss (CARNIVAL OF SOULS) retired to raise a family after making only two movies. She had a strange sort of otherwordly beuty and could act, and I think she could have been an iconic figure in the horror world (on the level of Barbara Steele) if she'd stuck around.

I'd slightly argue Paul Reubens outisde from his Pee Wee gig. He honestly is a great performer but it seems as soon as he tries on something different, some scandal arrives about him then its back to Pee Wee land.

Paula E Sheppard. She was the Lesbian that sang like she was retarded in 'Liquid Sky', and hasn't done anything since. Bummer though because all in all she was pretty good looking. I read on some fansite that Hollywood just plainly wasn't for her and she now has completely different career, family, etc. Anne Carlisle from the same movie is another.

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Raw bacon is GREAT! It's like regular bacon, only faster, and it doesn't burn the roof of your mouth!

there's a good documentary on his life on the Maniac DVD. apparently he was good friends with Sly Stallone but they fell out and never spoke again. maybe that couldve affected his career within the industry. I think it also said he was the highest paid actor on The Godfather!

Brad Davis. He played Billy Hayes,the poor shmuck who is busted with dope and sent to a Turkish prison in MIDNIGHT EXPRESS (1978). He was excellent in that film....then he seemed to fade into minor roles in TV....

Eric Roberts - He was always on the fringe of stardom and turned in some fine performances in movies like THE POPE OF GREENWICH VILLAGE, STAR 80, and RUNAWAY TRAIN. Then he seemed to slip into a lot of made-for-cable and direct-to-video movies. I was glad to see him in THE DARK KNIGHT, though . . .

Also, Gary Oldman and Christian Slater never reached the heights I expected of them.

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"Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me either. Just pretty much leave me the hell alone."